Mom-daughter team films commercial in Weymouth bakery

When Cupcake Mojo opened on Washington Street in Weymouth a year ago, mother-daughter duo Maureen Fitzgerald and Christina Nalband never expected to create a following that would stretch across the country. Their appearance on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” raised their visibility, and now they've now filmed a national TV commercial for CoverGirl and Olay, right in the Weymouth bakery.

By Mary Pavlu

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Mary Pavlu

Posted Oct. 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 9, 2013 at 9:11 AM

By Mary Pavlu

Posted Oct. 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 9, 2013 at 9:11 AM

WEYMOUTH

» Social News

When Cupcake Mojo opened on Washington Street in Weymouth a year ago, mother-daughter duo Maureen Fitzgerald and Christina Nalband never expected to create a following that would stretch across the country.

After their memorable performance on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” their visibility – and business – skyrocketed, despite the fact they were cut after the second round.

Popular burger joint Wahlburgers in Hingham optioned their cupcakes as the restaurant’s only dessert.

Without any advertising, Cupcake Mojo’s Facebook page receives daily posts from potential customers requesting the bakery’s treats. The duo plans to launch nationwide shipping and a new website by November.

On top of all that, the mom-and-daughter bakers have filmed a national TV commercial for CoverGirl and Olay, right in the Weymouth bakery. In it, they hawk “CoverGirl + Olay Eye Rehab 2 in 1 Concealer.”

“It’s perfect because she’s the target age for CoverGirl and I’m the target age for Olay,” Fitzgerald said. “The crew was great. I loved my hair and makeup so much, I slept in it.”

Cupcake Mojo had its first paid gig in August 2010. It was a graduation party. The bakery moved on to weddings, baby showers and other events, baking cupcakes in a commercial convection oven in the duo’s Weymouth home.

Since creating its first flavor – Nana’s Whoopie Cake – the business has grown by word of mouth and the duo opened the shop last year in Weymouth Landing. More than 30 cupcake flavors are available, including Gimme S’more, PB & Fluff and Skittle.

Fitzgerald and Nalband are supplying cupcakes to some of the coolest events on the South Shore. Their creations were served at the special screenings at Wahlburgers of Mark Wahlberg’s last film, “Two Guns,” and Donnie Wahlberg’s TV series, “Blue Bloods.” They also baked cupcakes for a dance workshop at Dance Unlimited of Hanover that featured pint-sized hoofers from TLC’s reality shows “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition” and “Dance Moms.”

“Their cupcakes are a great, unique spin on traditional childhood desserts, which ties right in with our family concept,” Wahlburgers General Manager Ashley Kelley said. “All of our customers love them, especially the New Kids on the Block fans.”

When Fitzgerald and Nalband aren’t starring in commercials, catering high-profile events or creating cupcake flavors, the two said they like to give back to their community.

Cupcake Mojo participates in fundraisers every year for Strides for Stephen, in honor of Nalband’s friend Stephen Leyva, who died of cancer in 2012; Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore; the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation; One Fund; and Stars.

Fitzgerald said she is happiest when combining baking with fundraising. She’s looking forward to baking cupcakes for the Halloween party at Wahlburgers on Oct. 25, to benefit Remember Betty, a breast cancer foundation in honor of New Kids on the Block member Danny Woods’ mother. The event costs $30 per person, and everyone must wear a costume.

Page 2 of 2 - “Every day I’m blown away by the success we’ve had,” Fitzgerald said. “We like to share it with the community.”